a year and a day
The phrase "a year and a day" appears in legal contexts, folklore, finance, and various traditions, often indicating a period slightly longer than a year for thoroughness or certainty.
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Definition
C1Law
(technical, historical)A period used in legal contexts, historically to determine the limit for attributing an act to a subsequent event, such as a death.
Example
- Under the old common law rule, a death occurring more than a year and a day after an injury could not lead to a murder charge.
B2Folklore
(idiomatic)A traditional period symbolizing a significant duration, often implying completeness plus an additional measure of time.
Example
- In many fairy tales, the hero must complete a quest that lasts a year and a day.
C1Finance
(technical)A period used to classify assets as long-term, affecting their tax treatment.
Example
- Holding the stock for a year and a day qualifies it for long-term capital gains tax rates.
C1Paganism
(spiritual)The minimum period of study required before formal initiation into certain Wiccan traditions.
Example
- In Wiccan practice, a student must study for a year and a day before being considered for initiation.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "a year and a day":